This is a discussion on Help "unlocking" the stock Stereo... within the Electronics/Car Audio forums, part of the Interior Mods category; So I just saw a video on youtube from SmurfinWRX on how to Unlock your stock deck to make it ...

Help "unlocking" the stock Stereo...

So I just saw a video on youtube from SmurfinWRX on how to Unlock your stock deck to make it sound better. His is a 2011 and I am wondering if this can be done on the 2003 WRX??? Anyone on here done this before?
Thanks guys!

So I just saw a video on youtube from SmurfinWRX on how to Unlock your stock deck to make it sound better. His is a 2011 and I am wondering if this can be done on the 2003 WRX??? Anyone on here done this before?
Thanks guys!

Wow... Thanks for posting this! Didn't know that this could be done. It seems like this hidden setting normalized the HU's equalizer. Radio now sounds a lot better especially everything that's not bluetooth/aux stream.

So I just saw a video on youtube from SmurfinWRX on how to Unlock your stock deck to make it sound better. His is a 2011 and I am wondering if this can be done on the 2003 WRX??? Anyone on here done this before?
Thanks guys!

Thanks for posting this. I was about to jump in and post this myself, as I discovered it from a forum on Nasioc a few weeks ago.

It really does help in making the stock system sound better. I was skeptical at first, but glad I found it.

Apparently, it works by putting the system on "loud setting" (through mode), which is much different than simply turning the knob up or down. I am not an audiophile, so correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand it changes the output volume of the lows/mids so the sound is more balanced when it is set up this way.

The sound is more natural and I don't have issues with the bass buzzing. Is it a replacement for a stereo system upgrade? No, but for now it makes the stock set up tolerable.

In case the video isn't working...

1) Turn off the audio system.
2) Hold down 1 & 4.
3) Tap "tune" dial twice while performing step 2.
4) Your radio will say Through mode and it is all done.
5) Turn on the audio system and enjoy.

I tried this a few days ago. It did not make the stereo sound better in my car. Loud was already on. Through mode made everything sound tinny. The radio sounds like crap regardless of settings.

I do think it is largely a matter of preference. Even after I learned of the "secret" menus, I spent a couple weeks tinkering here and there til I found a combination of those settings plus the regular bass/mid/treble that I found palatable enough to listen to...for now.

I actually did end up using Loud and Through modes, but with an interesting setup on the other settings. Works for me, but my ears and requirements are certainly different than yours.

I should make a youtube response video on how to "unlock" the Subaru head unit for vastly improved sound.. the video will be comprised of me chucking the OEM stereo in the trash and installing an Alpine deck.

I do think it is largely a matter of preference. Even after I learned of the "secret" menus, I spent a couple weeks tinkering here and there til I found a combination of those settings plus the regular bass/mid/treble that I found palatable enough to listen to...for now.

I actually did end up using Loud and Through modes, but with an interesting setup on the other settings. Works for me, but my ears and requirements are certainly different than yours.

Upon listening to the stereo in my car for the first time, my wife (who cares more about music than I do) said, "It seems the engineers mistook a vibrating dash for bass."

Upon listening to the stereo in my car for the first time, my wife (who cares more about music than I do) said, "It seems the engineers mistook a vibrating dash for bass."

Proving my point. I don't need a lot of bass/volume so I don't have it set up for it. I wanted a cleaner sound at lower volumes and was able to find it, with a lot of tinkering. Is it good? No. Will is suffice until I decide to deal with an aftermarket setup? Yep. For other people though, like your wife, I can definitely see how the stock stereo would be worthless.

Thanks for posting this. I was about to jump in and post this myself, as I discovered it from a forum on Nasioc a few weeks ago.

It really does help in making the stock system sound better. I was skeptical at first, but glad I found it.

Apparently, it works by putting the system on "loud setting" (through mode), which is much different than simply turning the knob up or down. I am not an audiophile, so correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand it changes the output volume of the lows/mids so the sound is more balanced when it is set up this way.

The sound is more natural and I don't have issues with the bass buzzing. Is it a replacement for a stereo system upgrade? No, but for now it makes the stock set up tolerable.

In case the video isn't working...

1) Turn off the audio system.
2) Hold down 1 & 4.
3) Tap "tune" dial twice while performing step 2.
4) Your radio will say Through mode and it is all done.
5) Turn on the audio system and enjoy.

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